It’s National Poetry Month, and we’re pleased to bring you an interview with poet Amy Small-McKinney. Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. In celebration of National Poetry Month, Amy will be reading at the KGB Bar in New York City at 7 p.m. on April 29.

Finding calm when waiting for diagnosis details and making treatment decisions can be a challenge – no surprise there. But even a few minutes of peace can help your well-being. We recently asked our Facebook friends:

When you were in the throes of diagnosis and figuring out your treatment plan, was there anything that helped you get calm, even for a few minutes?

There has been considerable public dialogue about the practice of mindfulness, described by experts as “nonjudgmental, present-moment awareness.” Although traditionally associated with Buddhist philosophy, anyone can incorporate mindfulness techniques into their daily activities or in their expression of sexuality.

Mindfulness has been used for a variety of different conditions including depression, anxiety, pain, and eating disorders. Scientific research shows that mindfulness causes brain waves to …